Farmers from Punjab, Haryana announces Bandh tomorrow in protest against farm bills

Days after new farm bills were passed in the Parliament, farmers in Punjab and Haryana have announced a bandh (strike) call on Friday (September 25) in protest against the contentious farm bills. 

As many as 31 farmer organisations have joined hands for the 'Punjab Bandh'. Several organisations in Haryana, including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said they had extended support to the nationwide strike called by some farmers' bodies against the bills.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to maintain law and order, and adhere to all coronavirus-safety protocols during the strike.

In a statement, Singh said the state government was fully with the farmers in their fight against the bills and no FIRs would be registered for violation of Section 144, which bars assembly of more than four people. There should be no disturbance of law and order during the



strike, the chief minister said.

Amarinder Singh appealed to the farmers to ensure that the citizens were not inconvenienced, and lives and property of people were not endangered due to the agitation.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh appealed to the people, including shopkeepers and commercial establishments, to keep their shop shut in support of the strike.

Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar also urged people to support the farmers and make the strike a success. The main opposition Aam Aadmi Party has already extended its support, while the Shiromani Akali Dal has announced to hold road blockades.

Farmers started a three-day rail blockade against the bills and squatted on tracks at many places in Punjab on Thursday. The farmer outfits have also decided to go for an indefinite rail blockade from October 1.